NEWS TIPS newsroom@tbw.com.au PRESENTATION: Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor and South East Local Government Association president Erika Vickery and SELGA executive officer Ann Aldersey speak at the parliamentary inquiry into fracking in Millicent. NEWS 7 Art gallery discussion GRANT District Council will invite Riddoch Art Gallery officials for informal talks to discuss future business models, financial plans and partnership opportunities. This follows the gallery executive now chang- ing with the appointment of Mount Gambier resident Tony Burch as chair. The gallery has warned it would have to close it doors unless more money flowed into the historic Mount Gambier institution. The gallery is seeking a new partnership deal with Mount Gambier and Grant district councils to cement its long term future. Proceeds from the Da Vinci Machines Exhibition has given it a much-needed financial lifeline this year. The facility is the premier regional art gallery in South Australia. The arts institution has yet to cement a fresh funding deal with Mount Gambier City Council despite it being the anchor tenant in the Main Corner complex. Public Consultation Extraction fears raised Vickery pleads with parliamentarians to consider South East residents’ concerns sroom@tbw.com.au PRESENTATION: Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor and South East Local Government Association president Erika Vickery and SELGA executive officer Ann Aldersey speak at the parliamentary inquiry into fracking in Millicent. NEWS 7 Art gallery discussion GRANT District Council will invite Riddoch Art Gallery officials for informal talks to discuss future business models, financial plans and partnership opportunities. This follows the gallery executive now chang- ing with the appointment of Mount Gambier resident Tony Burch as chair. The gallery has warned it would have to close it doors unless more money flowed into the historic Mount Gambier institution. The gallery is seeking a new partnership deal with Mount Gambier and Grant district councils to cement its long term future. Proceeds from the Da Vinci Machines Exhibition has given it a much-needed financial lifeline this year. The facility is the premier regional art gallery in South Australia. The arts institution has yet to cement a fresh funding deal with Mount Gambier City Council despite it being the anchor tenant in the Main Corner complex. Public Consultation Extraction fears raised Vickery pleads with parliamentarians to consider South East residents’ concerns consultation. consultation. H NEWS TIPS WS TIPS newsroom@tbw.com.au PRESENTATIO TIPS newsroom@tbw.com.au PRESENTATION: Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor and South East Local Government Association president Erika Vickery and SELGA executive officer Ann Aldersey speak at the parliamentary inquiry into fracking in Millicent. NEWS 7 Art gallery discussion GRANT District Council will invite Riddoch Art Gallery officials for informal talks to discuss future business models, financial plans and partnership opportunities. This follows the gallery executive now chang- ing with the appointment of Mount Gambier resident Tony Burch as chair. The gallery has warned it would have to close it doors unless more money flowed into the historic Mount Gambier institution. The gallery is seeking a new partnership deal with Mount Gambier and Grant district councils to cement its long term future. Proceeds from the Da Vinci Machines Exhibition has given it a much-needed financial lifeline this year. The facility is the premier regional art gallery in South Australia. The arts institution has yet to cement a fresh funding deal with Mount Gambier City Council despite it being the anchor tenant in the Main Corner complex. Public Consultation Extraction fears raised Vickery pleads with parliamentarians to consider South East residents’ concerns consultation. H J.L. J.L. “FRED” fred@setimes.com.au s peak local government body has pleaded for parliamentarians to carefully consider fears among South East residents that unconventional gas activities could compromise the region’s water supplies. South East Local Government Association president and Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor Erika Vickery put the challenge to a parliamentary hearing in Millicent on Wednesday. Ms Vickery also told the Natural Resources Committee the community was concerned about a perceived lack of consultation and information about gas exploration programs in the South East. Together with SELGA execu- tive officer Ann Aldersey, the seven committee members heard of SELGA’s worries dating back to 2013. Ms Vickery said the region’s economy was heavily dependent on agriculture and tourism. “There must be appropriate consultation with local communities (about fracking) and VIEWPOINT: Rural Communities Australia director Dr Geoff Wells made a presentation on the second day of the parliamentary inquiry into fracking held at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre. it should start early before any onground activity begins,” Ms Vickery said. She indicated a moratorium should apply until the scientific evidence is in place. “There is a lack of data to support the economic impact of fracking,” she said. In reply to a query from Labor MP Christopher Picton, Ms Vickery said the South East community supported traditional gas activities as they could see the direct benefit to manufacturing industries. “The community does not understand fracking and that it involves deeper extraction,” she said. “The region has a volatile limestone geology and water is needed for fracking. “We want to send a message to the regulator to take us with you.” Ms Vickery repeatedly stressed the need for public The final formal submission to the hearing was made by Dr Geoff Wells, director of the notfor-profit organisation Regional Communities Australia. Dr Wells said various international reports had shown fracking was a new technology and there were bans and moratoriums in place. As a result, Dr Wells said it was appropriate for the precautionary principle to apply. He said the South Australian Government had regulatory requirements for fracking proposals, but argued the responses from proponents were inadequate. Dr Wells said it would be appropriate for any fracking proposals to be subject to greater scrutiny via an integrated lifecycle and risk assessment process. “A lot of work needs to be done by the proposers of fracking,” Dr Wells said. Liberal Member for MacKillop Mitch Williams did not make a formal presentation, but made some brief remarks. Mr Williams said SELGA had a ‘big voice’ in the fracking debate over the past 12 months. “The community has looked to SELGA for leadership and they have provided it,” he said. Driver fined over Christmas Day motoring mishap LEON RADEMEYER FESTIVE drinks with her family on Christmas Day ended on the wrong note for a Robe woman after she lost control of her vehicle returning home and crashed into a lake next to a holiday park on Main Road. Amy Jo Schapel appeared in the Millicent Magistrates Court this week, pleading guilty to charges of driving without due care and driving with a blood/alcohol level in excess of the legal limit. The court heard the charges related to an incident on December 25 when Schapel was www.theborderwatch.com.au on her way home after having drinks with her family at a bowling club. It was around 8.20pm when a witness at a camp site on Main Road heard a car driving past at high speed, followed by a crashing noise. On investigating, the defendant’s car was seen in the water with her leaving it through a window. A police alcohol test showed a reading of 0.98, which was over the legal limit. Schapel, who was unrepresented, told Magistrate Paul Foley she had a few drinks on the day and thought she Proposed Car Park Redevelopment Beachport Boat Ramp Wattle Range Council is seeking community input on the proposed redevelopment of the car park at the Beachport Boat Ramp. The design can be viewed at the Beachport Visitor Information Centre, Millicent Civic Centre and on Council’s website at www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au. Written submissions should be addressed to Peter Harriott, CEO, by mail to PO Box 27, Millicent SA 5280; emailed to council@wattlerange.sa.gov.au; or delivered to: - ‘Civic Centre’, George Street, Millicent - Beachport Visitor Information Centre, Millicent Road, Beachport - Penola Visitor Information Centre, 27 Arthur Street, Penola; Written submissions will be received until 5 pm on Monday 16 March 2015. Peter Harriott CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ADMINISTRATION SKILLS FOR HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES Gain the skills to work as an administrative support services offi cer in the health industry. Learn in a simulated business environment with *Certifi cate II in Health Support Services (HLT21212) Delivered on campus and online/externally. May be free for eligible job seekers. *This course is funded through the Government of South Australia’s Skills for All initiative. was “okay to drive.” “Yes, it was a huge mistake,” she said. In handing down sentence, Mr Foley said the accident could have been much worse and Schapel was fortunate in getting out of the car. He fined Schapel $900 and disqualified her from driving for four months and six days for driving under the influence of alcohol. She was also fined $900 and a licence disqualification of 12 months for driving without due care. Mr Foley stressed the defendant would not be able to drive until June 24, 2016. Eligibility criteria, course entry requirements and incidental costs may apply. Check your eligibility at www.skills.sa.gov.au TAFE SA is a Skills for All Training Provider. To register your interest and to attend an information session contact Business Services P: 8207 9626 or E: busstud@tafesa.edu.au Visit: tafesa.edu.au The Border Watch, Friday, February 20, 2015 - 7 4863643 664148